



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



This book is written in ac- 
cordance with the Laws of 
Auction Bridge agreed upon 
and accepted by a joint Com- 
mittee of the Portland and 
Bath Clubs of England, and 
which have been adopted as 
the standard Laws of the 
Bridge Clubs of America. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 

INCLUDING A SYNOPSIS OF 

BRIDGE 

Br 
H. P. CLARK 

cAuthor of 

"Condensed Bridge" 

** Auction Bridge Condensed" 




NEW YORK 

DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 
1912 






Copyright, 1912, by 
DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 

Published January, 1912 



)CI.A303940 



CONTENTS 
AUCTION BRIDGE 



Introduction , 


. 


. 


PAGE 

9 


Description of the Game 
General Principles . 


and It 


5 

. 14 


Rubber ... 


, 


, 


21 


Score 


, 


•■ 


22 


Rules for Bidding . 


,■ 


:.i 


► 23 


Opening Bid for Dealer 


... 


26 


No-trump Bid 




>i 


26 


" One Heart " Bid . 




'•■ 


27 


" Two Heart " Bid . 




^•; 


28 


" One Diamond " Bid 




-.1 


29 


" Two Diamond " Bid 




:•-■ 


29 


" One Club " Bid . 




■,-; 


30 


"Two Club" Bid . 




• . 


30 


" One Spade " Bid . 




:.; :i 


31 


" Two Spade " Bid . 




■»-. , 


31 


Second Player's Bid 
5 




■'• ■' 


31 



6 CONTENTS* 

PAGE 

Third Player's Bid ... 34 

Fourth Player's Bid ... 38 

Bidding After the First Round 41 

Doubling and Re-doubling . . 44 

Opening Lead 47 

No-trump 48 

Best Leads for a Doubled " No- 
trump" 51 

Best Lead for a Doubled De- 
clared Trump . . , . 51 

Echo . 52 

Spade Convention . , , . 52 

Discards .53 

The Revoke ..... 53 

Resume ...... 54 

Laws of the Game .... 59 

Three-Handed Auction Bridge . 98 

Etiquette of Auction Bridge . 103 



CONTENTS 
BRIDGE 

PAGE 

Playing to the Score . . .109 

Bridge 112 

Honors 112 

Original Makes . . . .113 

"No-trump" 113 

Hearts 113 

Diamonds 114. 

Clubs and Spades . . . . 115 

Passed Makes 115 

Original Leads with Trump 

Declared 117 

Singleton Leads . . . .119 
Original Leads at "No-trump" 119 

Echo 122 

Rule of Eleven . . . .122 

Playing Dummy at " No-trump " 123 

Playing Dummy with Trumps . 123 

7 



8 CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Second Hand Play .... 124 

Third Hand Play .... 125 

PouBLiNG 125 

What to Lead When Your Part- 
ner Doubles .... 127 
Heart Convention . . . .128 

Unblocking 128 

General Rules .... 130 

Discards 131 

Short Suits 132 

The Revoke . . . . . i33 

Suggestions 133 

Glossary . . . • .7 > i35 



INTRODUCTION 

In combining these two subjects, 
Bridge and Auction Bridge, I have 
endeavoured to give a necessary out- 
line of the older game, for the bene- 
fit of those who are not familiar with 
its rules and finesse, and who will find 
their Auction game much improved 
by a more thorough knowledge of the 
parent game. 

While there is a slight variance in 
some of the leads, as strength not 
length counts at Auction, and while 
the trump is bid for by each player 
in turn, instead of remaining the sole 
privilege of the dealer or his partner, 
still the salient points of the two games 
are the same. 



10 AUCTION BRIDGE 

Auction has many exciting phases 
of play that do not occur at Bridge, 
and to many devotees of the game it 
undoubtedly owes its popular prece- 
dence over Bridge to its more excit- 
ing possibilities in the matter of play- 
ing for stakes — Auction, while retain- 
ing all the science that Bridge calls 
for, also requires a keener sense of 
values. 

The score plays an all-important 
part in the bidding, and it requires 
clever strategy and good judgment to 
know when to force the opponent's bid 
to an unattainable contract and when 
to take the bid away from him, espe- 
cially when the score Is a game each, 
and a fulfilled contract may give him 
rubber. If the bid fails, you can only 
lose In the Honor column, and you 
still have a chance for a more suc- 
cessful bid on the next deal. 



AUCTION BRIDGE ir 

The loss at Auction differs from 
Bridge in this: the declarant loses 
only to his adversary in the Honor 
column, while at Bridge the adver- 
sary scores against him in the trick 
column, which frequently gives him 
game or rubber. 

When doubled at Auction, the 
game, if successful, counts an addi- 
tional benefit over Bridge, for you 
score, not only for the doubled tricks 
in the trick score, the same as at 
Bridge, but you also receive a bonus 
in the Honor column, which does not 
occur at Bridge. Good hands are not 
wasted at Auction. 

The privilege of bidding for the 
trump gives each player a chance to 
name his own suit, and, if he is not 
strong enough to over-call his oppo- 
nent, at least he has given valuable in- 
formation to his partner, and directs 



12 AUCTION BRIDGE 

his lead In case he has no top cards 
of his own. A declaration at Bridge 
is final, while at Auction It is fre- 
quently no more than an indication of 
strength. 

Before Bridge became so generally 
known, it was not uncommon to meet 
with players who boasted of their 
Independence of rules. They were 
quite content to rely on their " card 
sense," as they expressed It, and it 
never seemed to occur to them what 
a blind game they were playing. 
There may be novices at Auction who 
are likewise self-sufficient, but just as 
Bridge grew upon the casual player 
more and more, until he was not sat- 
isfied to play a mediocre game him- 
self, nor to join in a game with those 
who did, so it will be with Auction, 
and In a much shorter time. The 
losses to the player who boasts of his 



AUCTION BRIDGE 13 

Independence of rules at Auction 
will soon demonstrate to him that a 
thorough knowledge of the different 
phases of the game is essential to a 
satisfactory score, and as an acceptable 
partner. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME 

AND ITS GENERAL 

PRINCIPLES 

If a player is able to make a decla- 
ration other than spades, he should 
do so. It gives information to his 
partner and possibly discourages the 
adversary from bidding a suit in 
which he has no protection. 

Black bids are generally eliminated 
by a higher trump call, and should 
only be made when the hand can offer 
nothing better. 

The aim of every player should be 
the " no-trump " or red suit bid. 
Such contracts, if successful, score 
not only higher in the trick score, but 
if unsuccessful the loss is no more 



AUCTION BRIDGE 15 

at " no-trump *' than It is at spades — 
50 points for each under trick. 

A declaration of one trick is hardly 
ever doubled. The double shows too 
plainly where strength lies, and the 
opponents will hasten to change the 
suit if they possibly can. To double 
a declaration of two or three tricks is 
a different matter, so large a con- 
tract is generally too high for any 
further bidding. 

Bear in mind that when the score 
reaches 14 and 18 it only takes *' two 
Hearts " or '' two Diamonds " to go 
game. 

When there is no chance that the 
opponents can win game at their dec- 
laration, do not jeopardise the score 
by an unsound bid, nor by a double 
which may put them out, but when 
their contract, If successful, will give 
them game, then, a double is war- 



i6 AUCTION BRIDGE 

ranted, or the bid may be raised even 
to a doubtful point, if the rubber is 
at stake. 

The one '* no-trump " bid is the 
player's best opening, when he is gen- 
erally guarded, and has some decided 
strength in the black suits. — It pre- 
vents opponents from indicating 
strength in Spades or Clubs and forces 
them to a two red suit bid. 

Should a partner hold protection 
in the red suit named, he will bid 
** two no-trumps.'' — His pass shows 
lack of protection. 

In bidding " one no-trump," if the 
adversary raises the bid to a " two 
Heart " declaration, and the player 
has protection in that suit, he can 
then go " two no-trump " with reason- 
able safety. 

If the adversary then bids *' three 
Hearts " with no assistance offered 



AUCTION BRIDGE 17 

from his partner, it is often advisable 
to double the " three Heart " bid, as 
it takes but five tricks to overcome the 
adversary's contract, with the chance 
of winning TOO in the Honor column 
for each over-trick, and 200 if re- 
doubled. 

When the player holds a very* 
strong hand in three suits, including 
Aces and Kings, but is decidedly weak 
in the remaining suit, he should bid 
'' two no-trumps," the high call shut- 
ting out the informatory bidding of 
the adversary. With such a hand, if 
he starts with a '' one no-trump " bid, 
the opponent may get in a two red 
call. With the red suit placed, it is 
doubtful if a raise to a " two no- 
trump " would then go through, as 
the adversary would immediately lead 
the red suit, which would probably 
prove disastrous. 



i8 AUCTION BRIDGE 

Always try to shut out opposing 
bids, when it is the rubber game. 

Don^t let adversaries communicate 
too cheaply. 

A player may bid " two Hearts " 
when holding six, headed by the 
Queen and Knave, and no other 
tricks; he should, however, bid but 
'' one Heart " when the hand is more 
general. 

Dummy should go slow when the 
partner has bid " one Spade,'' unless 
willing to depend on his own hand. 
The bid in a Diamond or Club suit 
indicates a willingness to play the 
hand, and that the declarant holds 
some " no-trump " assistance. Nu- 
merical strength is important in as- 
sisting the partner's call, but for an 
original declaration it is not essential. 
It is high-card strength which counts 
at an original declaration: for exam- 



AUCTION BRIDGE 19 

pie, it Is dangerous to declare a red 
suit with five or six, if it includes but 
one Honor, and lacks side strength. 
With five trumps and two Honors, a 
"red suit" may be declared, but the 
Honors should consist of Ace-KIng, 
King-Queen, or Ace-Queen; with less 
value In the Honors the declaration 
must be backed by suit strength, 
otherwise it is better to declare " one 
Spade." 

After hearing the other bids, a 
player may find himself In a position 
to make a justifiable red bid, or 
possibly be of great assistance to his 
partner should he have declared " no- 
trump." 

When making a declaration, weigh 
the probable result and try to judge 
how the opponents are likely to re- 
spond. 

The dealer occasionally finds him- 



20 AUCTION BRIDGE 

self in a position to choose between 
a strong red make with the probability 
of scoring one or two tricks In the 
trick score, or of bidding *' One 
Spade " with the chance that the third 
player will bid " no-trump," In which 
case his double and lead of his long 
suit w^ould score 200 or possibly 300 
in the Honor column. When the 
score is " love all," or your red bid 
could not possibly give you game, it 
is advisable to make the spade bid. 
Should either adversary declare in the 
opposing red suit, the dealer can bid 
two In his own suit, and Is In exactly 
the same position as he would have 
been had he started with the red bid. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



BRIDGE SCORE 


♦ «♦¥ 


N.T. 


Each Trick over Six 




2 


4 


6 


8 


12 


Three Honors 






4 


8 


12 


16 


30 






Four Honors 






8 


16 


24 


32 


40 












lO 


20 


30 


40 










Four Honors in 


One 


Hand 


i6 


32 


48 


64 


xoo 


Five Honors-^ J 


n one hand 
m partner's 


i8 


36 


54 


72 




Five Honors in 


One 


Hand 


20 


40 


60 


80 




Chicane . . . 






4 


8 


12 


16 




Little Slam . . 






20 


20 


20 


20 


20 








Grand Slam . . 






40 


40 


40 


40 


40 




___ 





RUBBER 

The rubber is the best of three 
games; if the first two games be won 
by the same players, the third game is 
not played. 



22 AUCTION BRIDGE 

SCORE 

A game consists of 30 points ob- 
tained by tricks alone, exclusive of 
any points counted for Honors, Chi- 
cane, Slam, Bonus, or Undertricks. 
Game, Honors, Slams, and Chicane 
count at Auction the same as at 
Bridge, except winners of rubber 
score 250 points. At the conclusion 
of a rubber the trick and Honor 
scores of each side are added, and 
the difference between the two scores 
is the number of points won or lost. 

Only the declarant scores in the 
trick score. If he fails to fulfil his 
contract, neither side can score a trick 
toward game, but the adversary gets 
50 points in the Honor column for 
each lacking trick. Thus, if the de- 
clarant has bid for eight tricks and 
wins but six, he has lost two tricks. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 23 

Doubling and re-doubling re-open 
the bidding. 

When doubled the loss is 100 for 
each trick, and 200 if re-doubled. 
When the declarant fulfils his con- 
tract, he scores the same as at Bridge : 
if doubled he receives 50 points for 
making what he bid, and 50 for each 
additional trick, and 100 if re-dou- 
bled, besides scoring the extra tricks 
made at double their value in the trick 
column. A ^' one Spade " bid is lim- 
ited to 100 points, whether doubled 
or not. 



RULES FOR BIDDING 

Cutting and dealing are the same 
as at Bridge. The Ace of Hearts is 
low, next the Diamond, next the Club, 
and highest the Spade. The main di- 



24 AUCTION BRIDGE 

vergence from Bridge Is the declara- 
tion. 

The dealer cannot pass; he must 
make an opening bid of some kind. 

Each player starting at the dealer's 
left has the right to pass, double, re- 
double, or change the suit. 

To change the suit, the bid must 
be for a greater number of tricks, or 
for a higher value In points: for ex- 
ample, contracting to take two tricks 
of a suit will outbid one trick of an- 
other suit of the same value; thus, 
*' two Clubs " is a higher declaration 
than " one Heart," and '' two Dia- 
monds " takes precedence over *' one 
no-trump." No player can raise his 
own bid after the other players have 
passed. A player may over-bid a pre- 
vious declaration, even if It be his 
partner's. 

The highest bidder becomes the de- 



AUCTION BRIDGE 25 

clarant, and he plays the combined 
hands, his partner being dummy, un- 
less he has raised the suit his partner 
first named; In that case, the original 
bidder plays the dummy. 

The player should specify both the 
suit and the number of tricks which 
he wishes to bid, saying, " One no- 
trump," "Two Hearts," etc.; If he 
wishes to pass, he should say, " No," 
" No more," or " I pass." 

Should a player In bidding fall to 
call a sufficient number of tricks to 
outbid a previous declaration, the bid 
stands as If the right number had 
been named, and his partner cannot 
make any further declaration, unless 
one of the adversaries has subse- 
quently made a higher bid. 



26 AUCTION BRIDGE 

OPENING BID FOR DEALER 

The first object of the bid is to give 
the partner information. 

NO TRUMP BID 

A " no-trump '* declaration is the 
best opening bid, if you have ordinary 
strength, especially in the black suits. 
If the opponent has strength in the 
light suits, he will over-bid the " no- 
trump " declaration, thus displaying 
his strength, and giving your partner 
the chance to bid *' two no-trumps," if 
he is strong enough in the light suits 
previously indicated, and has some 
protection in other suits. His pass 
gives equal information that he has 
no red strength; if neither adversary 
bids red, it should indicate that the 
strength in those suits is divided, and 



AUCTION BRIDGE 27 

that your partner holds some protec- 
tion in them. When you hold a very 
strong hand in three suits, including 
Aces and Kings, but are decidedly 
weak in the remaining suit, you should 
bid " two no-trumps," the high call 
shutting out the informatory bidding 
of the adversary. With such a hand, 
if the player starts with a " one no- 
trump " bid, the opponent may get in 
a two red call. With the red suit 
placed, it is doubtful if a raise to a 
" two no-trump " would then go 
through, as the adversary would im- 
mediately lead the red suit, which 
would probably prove disastrous. 

" ONE HEART BID " 

A " one Heart " bid indicates both 
strength and length; unsafe to bid un- 
less holding five sure tricks. 



28 AUCTION BRIDGE 

It Is not advisable to declare Hearts 
with five or six, Including but one 
Honor, and lacking side strength. 
With five Hearts and two top Hon- 
ors, such as Ace-KIng, or King- 
Queen, Hearts may be declared with- 
out other support. 

" TWO HEART BID *' 

A " two Heart " bid Implies length 
and strength, and shows your partner 
you can give no other assistance, and 
that your suit Is so strong you wish 
to play It, and cut out the " one no- 
trump " bid. A "two Heart'' bid 
should indicate six Hearts, with three 
top Honors, or seven Hearts, with 
two top Honors. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 29 



'' ONE DIAMOND BID " 

A " one Diamond " bid Indicates 
both strength and length in that suit, 
with Httle else of value in the hand. 

" TWO DIAMOND BID " 

A " two Diamond " bid indicates 
not only great strength, but also " no- 
trump " assistance. The suggestions 
offered for the " one " and " two 
Heart " bid apply equally to the 
** one " and '' two Diamond " bid, 
with the exception that the *' two 
Heart " bid denies '' no-trump " as- 
sistance, while the " two Diamond " 
bid implies it. 



30 AUCTION BRIDGE 

" ONE CLUB BID '* 

A "one Club" bid Indicates 
strength in that suit, and some as- 
sistance at " no-trump." Holding 
Ace-King, and one other, or King- 
Queen, and two others with outside 
strength, is a uniform " one Club " 
bid — it promises your partner three 
tricks, if he wishes to bid " no- 
trump." 

"TWO CLUB BID" 

A " two Club " bid indicates a 
thoroughly established suit, strong 
"no-trump" assistance — ^willing to 
have the bid stand. A " two Club " 
bid shuts out the partner from a " one 
red " bid; remembering this, you must 
be sure of your strength. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 31 



" ONE SPADE BID " 

A '* one Spade *' bid indicates 
weakness and denies that the hand 
contains more than two sure tricl^s. 



" TWO SPADE BID " 

A ''two Spade'* bid indicates 
strength in Spades, including the top 
cards of that suit, and shows " no- 
trump " assistance. 



SECOND PLAYER'S BID 

The second player's say depends 
greatly upon the dealer's opening bid, 
excluding the following exceptions: 
You should pass, unless the hand is 
strong. If strength is in the " Spade " 
suit, and you are not strong enough to 



32 AUCTION BRIDGE 

declare " no-trump," you should dou- 
ble the ''one Spade" bid; this is to 
show your partner you can stop suit 
named, and can assist at '' no-trump." 

It is a mistake to declare " two 
Spades," over a " one Spade " call, — 
the double indicates the same things — 
Spade strength — but does not leave 
you with a possible chance of being 
called upon to play it. 

If you are very strong In Spades, — 
holding, for example, six or seven, 
headed by Ace, King, and Queen, — 
you should then declare " three 
Spades," even though you have not a 
single trick in the other suits. This 
marks you with entire command of 
the " Spade " suit. It is a declara- 
tion you are not likely to be left with, 
but it gives information to your part- 
ner. Rules for second player's bid- 
ding on original " one " and " two 



AUCTION BRIDGE 33 

Club " bids should be on the same 
lines as those for " Spades.'' 

With a strong red suit, over-call 
the dealer's black announcement. 
When the dealer declares '' two 
Spades," the second player must 
change the suit, if possible, as the 
third player will very likely bid " no- 
trumps " ; it assists your partner's lead 
in case he is unable to make a bid of 
his own. When you have a very 
strong red suit, declare two tricks, not 
one, so as to shut out the " one no- 
trump " call by the third player; but, 
with only average strength in a red 
suit, bid one — it gives your partner a 
chance to over-bid a " one no-trump " 
if he has a good hand, and is only 
lacking in the suit you have named. 
Bid " no-trump " with an average 
hand and a protected Honor in the 
suit first declared, but, with red 



34 AUCTION BRIDGE 

Strength, over-call the " one no- 
trump " with a " two red '* bid. 



THIRD PLAYER'S BID 

When you are third player, you 
have already received considerable in- 
formation. The dealer and the sec- 
ond player having had their say, you 
are in a position to size up the situa- 
tion, with a certain amount of 
acumen. 

The dealer's " one Spade " bid in- 
dicates general weakness, especially in 
the black suits, otherwise he would 
have called '' two Spades," or " one 
Club." He may hold useful support 
in the red suits, but, on the other 
hand, he may hold a Yarborough, 
consequently your declaration should 
be one at which you can win with lit- 
tle or no assistance, therefore do not 



AUCTION BRIDGE 35 

raise your partner's bid, unless you 
have a very strong hand. 

When the second player has passed 
the dealer's " one Spade " bid, make 
any higher call which your hand may 
warrant, endeavour to take him out 
of a " one Spade " bid by naming a 
red suit if you are reasonably strong. 
Bearing in mind your partner's " one 
Spade " bid, and the second player's 
pass, you should realise that the 
fourth player's hand is marked with 
considerable strength, and that in 
all probabihty he will bid " no- 
trump." 

Unless you have a decided " no- 
trump " make yourself, you should be 
content with suggesting your stron- 
gest suit to your partner, thus direct- 
ing his lead against the ** no-trump " 
call. To make it " no-trump " on your 
partner's " one Spade " bid is gener- 



36 AUCTION BRIDGE 

ally disastrous, unless the hand is ex- 
ceptionally strong. 

When your partner has declared 
" one no-trump/' and the second 
player has passed, there are two 
courses open to you. With a gener- 
ally assisting hand, allow the declara- 
tion to stand; however, if you have 
considerable strength in one of the red 
suits, with no outside tricks, do not 
hesitate to over-call your partner with 
a " two Heart " or a " two Dia- 
mond " bid. This gives him valuable 
information, and places him in a po- 
sition to judge between the two makes. 
If his " no-trump " call was a light 
one, he will be glad to allow your bid 
to stand ; if, on the other hand, he was 
only weak in the red suit you have 
named, he will increase the contract to 
two " no-trumps " — ^you must then be 
content to let that bid stand. The 



AUCTION BRIDGE 37 

same tactics apply when the dealer 
has made an original suit declaration. 

When you can give some assistance, 
pass the bid; but when you have only 
one or two small trumps, and decided 
strength in some other suit, over-call 
your partner. 

With protection in three suits, out- 
side of the suit your partner has al- 
ready named, the *' no-trump " bid 
should be your first aim, otherwise a 
" two Club " call, including six or 
seven cards with three top Honors, or 
a Diamond or Heart announcement 
of equal strength, is permissible. It 
is wrong to over-call with any less 
strength. The dealer can always 
make a higher bid, if he feels his hand 
warrants it, but he does so with a per- 
fect understanding of his partner's 
hand. 

When the second player has over- 



38 AUCTION BRIDGE 

called the dealer's bid, you should 
raise your partner's declaration, if you 
have at least two positive tricks, — 
meaning Aces, and Kings, especially if 
the adversaries are likely to win game 
at their make, or when your own dec- 
laration, or your partner's, will put 
you out. 



FOURTH PLAYER'S BID 

Most of the suggestions made for 
the guidance of the second and third 
players apply to the fourth hand. Be- 
ing fourth player, the information 
given by the other hands puts you in 
a position to judge what is best to do. 

Do not over-bid your partner, un- 
less your hand is very strong, and do 
not take your adversary out of a black 
declaration when your partner has 
passed, unless you have a good chance 



AUCTION BRIDGE 39 

to go game. The most you can lose 
Is a few points, which are of no value; 
whereas, on the other hand, should 
the adversary fail to make his con- 
tract, he stands to lose 50 or 100 
points. Aside from this, an an- 
nouncement by the fourth player gives 
the opponents a chance to re-open the 
bidding. 

If your hand is strong enough to 
go game, you will welcome this op- 
portunity to either push your adver- 
sary up to an unattainable contract or 
else to increase your own. When 
you have the slightest doubt in the 
matter, it is always safer to double 
your adversary's two or three trick 
bid and be satisfied with what you 
may get above the line, than to jeop- 
ardise any advantage you may already 
have toward game or rubber. 

When the dealer's " one Spade " 



40 AUCTION BRIDGE 

bid has been over-called by your part- 
ner, and passed by the third player, 
allow his raise to stand, if you can 
give him some assistance; if, on the 
other hand, you have decided strength 
in another suit, do not hesitate to 
over-call. 

When the dealer has opened with 
one " no-trump,'^ or " one Heart," 
and your partner has over-called with, 
say, " two Diamonds," and the third 
player has bid two " no-trump," you 
should hardly ever raise your part- 
ner's bid to a three trick declaration, 
which calls for nine tricks out of the 
13, and is a very large contract to 
attain. 

The principles governing the 
fourth player's bid are almost iden- 
tical with those that influence the pre- 
vious bidders. Try to distinguish 
forced bids from voluntary bids, — by 



AUCTION BRIDGE 41 

SO doing you will give your partner's 
hand its proper estimate and not make 
the mistake of over-bidding your own. 



BIDDING AFTER THE FIRST 
ROUND 

At the conclusion of the first round 
of bidding, a certain degree of in- 
formation has been Imparted by the 
various declarations. 

Make use of any information your 
partner has given you, to work it in 
with your own strength, and if pos- 
sible make a '' no-trump " call. 

Do not over-estimate trump length ; 
it is high card strength which counts 
at Auction. With two sure tricks, 
and a possible third, in your own 
hand, raise your partner's " one 
trick " bid when he has been over- 
called. If his " two trick " bid has 



42 AUCTION BRIDGE 

been raised, it Is generally safe to ven- 
ture a " three trick " call, providing 
you hold three or four sure tricks. 

Avoid a contract of " nine tricks," 
and leave your adversaries In when 
they bid over eight, — such a contract 
is frequently beaten, and your gain in 
the Honor column may be consider- 
able. 

It has been estimated that a bid of 
** three Hearts " over a bid of " two 
no-trumps " Is defeated on an aver- 
age of eight times out of ten. It 
stands to reason that a " two no- 
trump " bid Includes not only general 
strength, but protection In the red suit 
you, or your partner, have indicated. 

A bid of '' four Diamonds " over 
" two no-trumps " Is also inadvisable, 
unless the player is willing to accept 
a loss to keep the opponents from win^ 
ning rubber. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 43 

There will be occasions when you 
ought to declare above the value of 
your hand (termed Flag Flying) : for 
example, when the opponent's bid is 
likely to give them game, or when 
you can push them up to an unattain- 
able contract. 

It is impossible to give a text for 
each case. 

Players will have to be guided by 
the score, by circumstances, and by 
their own experience, which should 
teach them when and how to dis- 
criminate. 

There is no limit to the number of 
bids made, providing a declaration is 
over-called by an adversary. 

No player can raise his own bid 
after the other players have passed, 
but he has the privilege of over-call- 
ing his partner, even though there has 
been no intermediate bid. 



44 AUCTION BRIDGE 



DOUBLING AND RE-DOUBLING 

Doubling and re-doubling re-open 
the bidding. 

Any declaration can be doubled 
and re-doubled once, but not more. 

The effect of doubling is that the 
value of each trick over the book 
(the first six tricks) Is doubled or 
quadrupled, but it does not alter the 
bidding value of the declaration: for 
example, a declaration of " two Dia- 
monds " is higher than " one no- 
trump," although the "no-trump" 
call has been doubled. 

When a player whose declaration 
has been doubled makes good his con- 
tract by winning the declared number 
of tricks, he scores a bonus of 50 
points in the Honor column for mak- 
ing what he bid, and 50 for each ad- 



AUCTION BRIDGE 45 

ditional trick over, and lOO if re- 
doubled, besides scoring the extra 
tricks made at double their value in 
the trick column. If he fails to 
fulfil his contract, he loses loo for 
each lacking trick, and 200 if re- 
doubled. 

Partners cannot re-double each 
other, unless first doubled by an ad- 
versary; then a re-double is in order, 
if the hand warrants it. 

Doubling depends mainly upon the 
state of the score ; go slow on the first 
game; but, when it is the rubber and 
you are behind, double freely, espe- 
cially if the declarant^s fulfilled con- 
tract would win the rubber. 

Doubling locates high cards and 
trump strength, and frequently con- 
fers more benefit on the adversary 
than it does on your partner, and un- 
less you are doubling a " two trick " 



46 AUCTION BRIDGE 

call, the declaration is apt to be 
changed to another suit. 

To double the adversary's *' one 
no-trump" bid, when you have the 
odd in your own hand, is not good 
judgment; it calls attention to your 
strength, and if the adversary's part- 
ner has poor general support, he is apt 
to change the suit to a two red bid. 

For informatory purposes, to show 
partner you have protection in the 
suit named, it is permissible to double 
a *' one trick " call, but it is a useless 
procedure with no other object. Let 
the bid stand, and you are much more 
likely to score in the Honor column, 
than if you had shown your strength. 

A player may double an adversary, 
or change the suit, if he names more 
trick value, thus re-opening the bid- 
ding. 

Doubling does not mean you ex- 



AUCTION BRIDGE 47 

pect to win the odd, you are merely 
contracting to defeat the adversary's 
contract. 

In re-doubling, best position when 
playing after the maker. 

If a player doubles out of turn, the 
adversary at his left may demand a 
new deal; do not endanger game by 
contracting for more tricks than the 
hand really warrants. 

OPENING LEAD 

The important part to remember 
is, to try to defeat the adversary's 
contract. 

A lead from an Ace-King suit, or 
an Ace from a long suit, gives the 
player a chance to look at dummy; 
this, with the partner's previous 
declaration, should guide your sub- 
sequent play. 



48 AUCTION BRIDGE 

In playing to your partner's suit, 
lead the highest of two or more cards 
in sequence, or fourth best if you have 
four. 

When your partner has made no 
announcement, and you have two suits 
of equal length, lead the black, since 
he would have indicated any red 
strength. 

A singleton opening is often ad- 
visable if you have no top cards, and 
have two or three small trumps. 

NO TRUMP 

Establish your long suit as quickly 
as possible, so as to delay the op- 
ponents from bringing in theirs. 

The opening lead at " no-trump " 
depends upon whether there has been 
any preliminary bidding; or whether 
the original " no-trump " declaration 



AUCTION BRIDGE 49 

has been over-called. When the 
original bid stands, lead from your 
longest suit numerically, the same 
as at Bridge, leading your fourth 
best card, unless the hand contains 
a sequence of two or three top 
cards. 

With a poor hand, and without 
having received any information from 
your partner, lead the highest of a 
black suit, in preference to a red 
one; — which is customary at Bridge. 
If he had red strength, he would have 
declared it. 

When your partner has made a 
previous declaration to your own, it 
is generally advisable to open it, but 
if you have a good suit with top cards, 
you may open your suit first, and lead 
his afterwards. 

In playing to a suit, lead precisely 
the same as you would from your own 



50 AUCTION BRIDGE 

hand — top cards in sequence, or fourth 
best. 

When the declaration is for three 
or more tricks in trumps, it is essen- 
tial to make good the high cards in 
your hand at once. A three or four 
trick contract is easily broken, and you 
must make your Aces and Kings be- 
fore the declarant has a chance to 
get in a discard. With such a high 
bid he is apt to be short in at least 
one suit. 

Avoid a tenace opening, such as an 
Ace-Queen, or King-Knave suit. 

A player is more likely to make 
both cards good, if he waits for the 
suit to be led to him. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 51 

THE BEST LEADS FOR A DOU- 
BLED "NO-TRUMP'^ 

If you have Indicated your own 
suit, previous to your partner's double, 
lead it. 

If partner has Indicated his suit, 
previous to his double, lead it. 

BEST LEADS FOR A DOUBLED 
DECLARED TRUMP 

When your partner has doubled a 
suit declaration, it does not neces- 
sarily signify that he wishes it led to 
him; In fact, it is not advisable, for 
the reason that it Is up to the strength 
in the declarant's hand. 

An Ace-King, or King-Queen lead, 
is your best opening; failing these, 
lead a singleton, or fourth best from 
your longest suit. 



52 AUCTION BRIDGE 

ECHO 

The Echo is one of the conventions 
at Bridge which has been introduced 
into Auction. 

The play of a high card, followed 
by a lower, indicates you have no 
more, and can trump the third round 
of the suit, or that you hold the re- 
maining high card. 

Seldom echo above an Honor, so 
high a card is too valuable to throw 
away; besides it attracts the adver- 
sary's attention, and might enable him 
to make a successful finesse. 

SPADE CONVENTION 

Lead your highest Spade when your 
partner has doubled an original " no- 
trump " declaration, without any in- 
tervening bids. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 53 



DISCARDS 

The discard at Auction is from 
weakness. 

It is not necessary to show strength, 
as the previous bids have already sup- 
plied that information. When you 
are obliged to protect a weak suit, and 
are forced to discard from a long 
suit, play a seven, or higher. 

The discard of a high card fol- 
lowed by a lower one shows strength 
in that suit. 

THE REVOKE 

A revoke occurs, when a player 
holding cards of the suit led, fails to 
follow suit, the penalty being 150 
points taken from the side revoking, 
and added to the adversaries' Honor 
score, and 100 points for each revoke 



54 AUCTION BRIDGE 

thereafter. The declarant has the 
privilege of taking three tricks from 
his opponents, and adding them to his 
trick score, if it is advantageous to 
his contract, or will help him to go 
game. In that case he cannot claim 
the 150 in the Honor column. 

If doubled, he cannot claim any 
bonus in the Honor column for the 
three tricks gained by the revoke. 

Should the declarant revoke, he 
cannot score a single trick toward 
game. 

RESUME 

The bid at Auction simplifies the 
play to a great extent. 

It locates high cards and suit 
strength, which Is of great advantage 
to the player, especially if he has a 
fair " no-trump " make, and is only 



AUCTION BRIDGE 55 

lacking In the suit indicated by his 
partner. 

If it is the first game, a player 
should never make a doubtful double, 
when the adversary's contract would 
not otherwise score game. 

An uncertain double on the rubber 
game is most unsound when the ad- 
versary's fulfilled contract cannot win 
game, as the double would put him 
out, but, when the opponent's fulfilled 
contract will give him game, or rub- 
ber, then a double is warranted, if he 
feels he has a fair chance to defeat 
the contract. If the double Is de- 
feated, the loss would not be serious, 
and should the declarant fail to make 
good, the gain In the Honor column 
is worth trying for. 

The declarant should be familiar 
with the adversaries' bids, and thus be 
able to locate the suits against him, 



56 AUCTION BRIDGE 

and to so arrange the leads that he 
shall play through strength, and up to 
weakness. It is much easier to estab- 
lish a suit by leading up to it, than by 
leading away from it. 

As Auction is manifestly a game of 
Aces and Kings, the fourth best play 
has little part in the game, except 
where there are no top cards in se- 
quence in the hand; then a knowledge 
of the rule of eleven, which applies 
to the fourth best play, is necessary. 

( Deducting the number of spots on 
the card led from eleven shows how 
many cards higher than the card led 
are against your partner's suit.) 

Do not endanger a contract by try- 
ing for extra tricks when you cannot 
go game; on the other hand, when 
game, or rubber, is at stake, a finesse 
may be taken, when there is an even 
chance of winning the rubber, or of 



AUCTION BRIDGE 57 

only losing the contract by a trick. 
The loss Is small, if defeated, while 
the bonus for winning the rubber is 
250 points. When leading from a 
sequence, play the top card. 

When a cult Is led to you, and you 
hold a sequence of two or more cards, 
play the lowest. 

Do not forget to watch your part- 
ner's first discard, if he has failed to 
make a bid. 

Watch the Honor score, as well as 
the trick score, and do not bid reck- 
lessly, when there is a big Honor score 
against you. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 
BRIDGE 



THE RUBBER 

I . — ^The partners first winning two 
games win the rubber. If the first 
two games decide the rubber, the third 
IS not played. 

SCORING 

2. — ^A game consists of 30 points 
obtained by tricks alone, exclusive of 
any points counted for Honors, 
Chicane, Slam, Little Slam, Bonus, 
or Undertricks. 

3. — Every deal is played out, and 
any points in excess of the 30 neces- 
sary for the game are counted. 

4. — When the declarant wins the 
number of tricks bid, each one above 



62 AUCTION BRIDGE 

six counts toward the game; two 
points when Spades are trumps, four 
at Clubs, six at Diamonds, eight at 
Hearts, and 12 at no-trumps. 

5. — Honors are Ace, King, Queen, 
Knave, and Ten of the trump suit; 
or the Aces when " no-trump '' is de- 
clared. 

6. — Honors are credited In the 
Honor column to the original holders. 

7. — ^A Grand Slam is made when 
seven tricks are scored independently 
of tricks taken as penalty for the re- 
voke; It adds 40 points to the Honor 
count. 

8. — Little Slam Is made when six 
tricks are similarly scored; it adds 20 
points to the Honor count. 

9. — Chicane (one hand void of 
trumps) is equal In value to simple 
Honors, I.e., if the partners, one of 
whom has Chicane, score Honors, It 



AUCTION BRIDGE 63 

adds the value of three Honors to 
their Honor score; If the adversaries 
score Honors it deducts that value 
from their Honor count. Double 
Chicane (both hands void of trumps) 
is equal in value to four Honors, and 
that amount must be deducted from 
the Honor score of the adversaries. 

10. — The value of Honors, Slam, 
Little Slam, or Chicane is not affected 
by a double or a re-double. 

1 1 . — At the conclusion of a rubber, 
the trick and Honor scores of each 
side are added; and an extra 250 
points are given to the winners. The 
difference between the completed 
scores Is the number of points of the 
rubber. 

12. — A proven error In the Honor 
score may be corrected at any time be- 
fore the score of the rubber has been 
made up and agreed upon. 



64 AUCTION BRIDGE 

13. — ^A proven error in the trick 
score may be corrected prior to the 
conclusion of the game in which it oc- 
curred. Such game shall not be con- 
sidered concluded until a declaration 
has been made in the following game, 
or, if it be the final game of the rub- 
ber, until the score has been made up 
and agreed upon. 

CUTTING 

14. — In cutting, the Ace is the low- 
est card; as between cards of other- 
wise equal value, the lowest is the 
Heart, next the Diamond, next the 
Club, and highest the Spade. 

15. — Every player must cut from 
the same pack. 

16. — Should a player expose more 
than one card, the highest is his cut. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 65 

FORMING TABLES 

17. — ^The prior right to play is 
with those first in the room. If there 
be more than four candidates, the 
privilege of playing is decided by cut- 
ting. The four who cut the lowest 
cards play the first rubber. 

18. — After the table is formed the 
players cut to decide upon partners, the 
lower two playing against the higher 
two. The lowest is the dealer, who 
has the choice of cards and seats, and 
who, having made his selection, must 
abide by it. 

19. — Six players constitute a com- 
plete table. 

20. — The right to succeed any 
player who may retire is acquired by 
announcing the desire to do so, and 
such announcement shall constitute a 
prior right to the first vacancy. 



66 AUCTION BRIDGE 

CUTTING OUT 

21. — If, at the end of a rubber, ad- 
mission be claimed by one or two can- 
didates, the player or players having 
played the greatest number of con- 
secutive rubbers shall withdraw; but 
when all have played the same num- 
ber, they must cut to decide upon the 
outgoers — the highest are out. 

RIGHTS OF ENTRY 

22. — A candidate desiring to enter 
a table must declare such wish before 
any player at the table cuts a card, 
for the purpose of either beginning a 
new rubber or of cutting out. 

23. — In the formation of new 
tables, those candidates who have not 
played at any other table have the 
prior right of entry. Those who have 



AUCTION BRIDGE 67 

already played decide their right to 
admission by cutting. 

24. — When one or more players be- 
longing to another table aid in making 
up a new one, the new players at such 
table shall be the first to go out. 

25. — ^A player who cuts into one 
table, while belonging to another, 
shall forfeit his prior right of re-entry 
into the latter, unless he has helped to 
form a new table. In this event, he 
may signify his intention of return- 
ing to his original table when his 
place at the new one can be filled. 

26. — Should any player quit the 
table during the progress of a rubber, 
he may, with the consent of the other 
three, appoint a substitute to play dur- 
ing his absence ; but such appointment 
shall become void at the conclusion of 
that rubber, and shall not in any way 
affect the substitute's rights. 



68 AUCTION BRIDGE 

27. — If any one break up a table, 
the remaining players have a prior 
right at dther tables. 

SHUFFLING 

28. — ^The pack must not be shuffled 
below the table nor so that the face 
of any card may be seen. 

29. — The dealer's partner must 
collect the cards from the preceding 
deal, and has the first right to shuffle 
the cards. Each player has the right 
to subsequently shuffle. The dealer 
has the right to shuffle last; but, 
should a card or cards be seen during 
the shuffling, or while giving the pack 
to be cut, he must re-shuffle. 

30. — ^After shuffling, the cards, 
properly collected, must be placed face 
downward to the left of the next 
dealer. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 69 

THE DEAL 

31. — Each player deals in his turn; 
the order of dealing is to the left. 

32. — The player on the dealer's 
right cuts the pack, and in dividing 
it he must leave not fewer than four 
cards in each packet; if in cutting or in 
replacing one of the two packets a 
card be exposed, or if there be any con- 
fusion or a doubt as to the exact place 
in which the pack was divided, there 
must be a fresh cut. 

33. — When the player whose duty it 
is to cut has once separated the pack, 
he can neither re-shuffle nor re-cut, ex- 
cept as provided in Law 32. 

34. — Should the dealer shuffle the 
cards after the cut, the pack must be 
re-cut. 

35. — The fifty-two cards shall be 



70 AUCTION BRIDGE 

dealt face downward. The deal is not 
completed until the last card has been 
dealt. 

36. — There is no penalty for a mis- 
deal. The cards must be re-dealt. 



A NEW DEAL 

37. — There must be a new deal: 

A. — If the cards be not dealt 
into four packets, one at a 
time and in regular rotation, 
beginning at the dealer's left. 

B. — If, during a deal or during 
the play, the pack be proven 
incorrect or imperfect. 

C. — If any card be faced in the 
pack. 

ID. — If any player have dealt to 
him a greater number of cards 
than thirteen, whether discov- 
ered before or during the play. 

E. — If the dealer deal two cards 



AUCTION BRIDGE 71 

at once, and then deal a third 
before correcting the error. 

F. — If the dealer omit to have 
the pack cut, and either ad- 
versary calls attention to the 
fact prior to the completion 
of the deal, and before either 
adversary has looked at any 
of his cards. 

G. — If the last card does not 
come in its regular order to 
the dealer. 

38. — There may be a new deal: 

A. — If the dealer or his partner 
expose a card before the deal 
has been completed. Either 
adversary may claim a new 
deal. 

B. — ^^If either adversary expose 
a card before the deal has 
been completed. The dealer 
or his partner may claim a 
new deal. 

C. — If before fifty-one cards are 



72 AUCTION BRIDGE 

dealt, the dealer look at any 
card, his adversaries have the 
right to see it, and either may 
exact a new deal. 
D. — If, in dealing, one of the 
last cards be exposed by the 
dealer or his partner and the 
deal be completed before 
there is a reasonable time for 
either adversary to decide as 
to a new deal. In all other 
cases such penalties must be 
claimed prior to the comple- 
tion of the deal. 

39. — The claim for a new deal by 
reason of a card exposed during the 
deal may not be made by a player who 
has looked at any of his cards. If the 
deal stand, a card so exposed cannot 
be called. 

40. — Should three players have 
their right number of cards, the 
fourth, less than thirteen, and not dis- 



AUCTION BRIDGE 73 

cover such deficiency until he has 
played, the deal stands; he, not being 
dummy, is answerable for any estab- 
lished revoke he may have made, as if 
the missing card or cards had been in 
his hand. Any player may search the 
other pack for it or them. 

41. — If, during the play, a pack be 
proven incorrect or imperfect, such 
proof renders the current deal void, 
but does not affect any prior score. 
(See Law 37b.) If, during or at the 
conclusion of the play, one player be 
found to hold more than the proper 
number of cards and another have an 
equal number less, the hand is void. 

42. — ^A player dealing out of turn 
or with the adversaries' cards, may be 
corrected before the last card is dealt ; 
otherwise the deal must stand and the 
game proceed as if the deal had been 
correct. 



74 AUCTION BRIDGE 

43. — A player can neither cut, 
shuffle, nor deal for his partner with- 
out the permission of his adversaries. 

DECLARING TRUMPS 

44. — The dealer, having examined 
his hand, must declare to win at least 
one odd trick, either with a trump 
suit or at '' no-trumps." 

45. — ^After the dealer has made his 
declaration, each player in turn, com- 
mencing with the player on the deal- 
er's left, has the right to pass, to make 
a higher declaration, to double the 
last declaration made, or to re-double 
a declaration which has been doubled, 
subject to the provisions of Law ^5. 

46. — A declaration of a greater 
number of tricks in a suit of lower 
value, which equals the last declara- 
tion in value of points, shall be con- 



AUCTION BRIDGE 75 

sidered a higher declaration, e.g., a 
declaration of *' two Spades " is a 
higher declaration than '' one Club,'^ 
and " two Diamonds " is higher than 
*' one no-trump." 

47. — A player in his turn may over- 
bid the previous declaration any num- 
ber of times, and he may also over-bid 
his partner, but he cannot over-bid 
his own declaration which has been 
passed by the other three players. 

48. — When the final declaration 
has been made, i.e., when the last 
declaration has been passed by the 
other three players — the player who 
has made such declaration (or, in the 
case where both partners have made 
declarations in the same suit or of 
*' no-trumps," the player who first 
made such declaration) shall play the 
combined hands of himself and of his 
partner, the latter becoming dummy. 



76 AUCTION BRIDGE 

49. — When the player of the two 
hands (hereinafter termed the " de- 
clarant") wins at least as many 
tricks as he declared to do, he scores 
the full value of the tricks won (see 
Laws 4 and 6). When he fails, his 
adversaries score in the Honor column 
50 points for each undertrick, i.e., 
each trick short of the number de- 
clared ; or, if the declaration have been 
doubled or re-doubled, 100 or 200, 
respectively, for each such trick, 
neither the declarant nor his ad- 
versaries score anything toward 
game. 

50. — The loss on the declaration of 
*' one Spade " shall be limited to 100 
points in respect of undertricks, 
whether doubled or not, unless re- 
doubled. 

51. — If a player make a declara- 
tion (other than passing) out of turn, 



AUCTION BRIDGE 77 

the adversary on his left may demand 
a new deal, or may allow the declara- 
tion so made to stand, when the bid- 
ding shall continue as if the declara- 
tion had been in orden 

52. — If a player, in bidding, fail to 
declare a sufficient number of tricks to 
over-bid the previous declaration, he 
shall be considered to have declared 
the requisite number of tricks in the 
bid which he has made, unless either 
of his adversaries make a higher 
declaration, double, or pass the in- 
sufficient declaration. When the 
insufficient declaration is corrected to 
the requisite number of tricks in the 
bid, or, if the correction be impossible, 
the partner of the declarant shall be 
debarred from making any further 
declaration, unless either of his adver- 
saries make a higher declaration or 
double. 



78 AUCTION BRIDGE 

53. — ^After the final declaration has 
been made, a player is not entitled to 
give his partner any information as 
to a previous declaration, whether 
made by himself or by an adversary, 
but a player is entitled to inquire, at 
any time during the play of the hand, 
what was the final declaration. 



DOUBLING AND RE-DOUBLING 

54. — The effect of doubling and re- 
doubling is that the value of each trick 
over six is doubled or quadrupled, as 
provided in Law 4; but it does not 
alter the value of a declaration, e.g., 
a declaration of " two Diamonds '' is 
higher than " one no-trump '' although 
the no-trump declaration has been 
doubled. 

^^. — A player cannot double his 
partner's declaration nor re-double his 



AUCTION BRIDGE 79 

partner^s double, but he may re-double 
a declaration of his partner which has 
been doubled by an adversary. 

^6. — The act of doubling, or re- 
doubling, re-opens the bidding. When 
a declaration has been doubled or re- 
doubled, any player, including the 
declarant or his partner, can, in his 
proper turn, make a further declara- 
tion of higher value. 

57. — When a player, whose decla- 
ration has been doubled, makes good 
his declaration by winning at least the 
declared number of tricks, he scores a 
bonus which consists of 50 points in 
the Honor column for winning the 
number of tricks declared, and a fur- 
ther 50 points for each additional 
trick he may win. If he or his part- 
ner have re-doubled, the bonus is 
doubled. 

58. — If a player double out of 



8o AUCTION BRIDGE 

turn, the adversary at his left may de- 
mand a new deal. 

59. — ^When the final declaration has 
been made the play shall begin, and 
the player on the left of the declarant 
shall lead. 

60. — A declaration once made can- 
not be altered, unless it has been dou- 
bled or a higher declaration made. 



DUMMY 

6 1 . — As soon as the eldest hand has 
led, the declarant's partner shall place 
his cards face upward on the table, 
and the duty of playing the cards from 
that hand shall devolve upon the 
declarant. 

62. — Before placing his cards upon 
the table the declarant's partner has 
all the rights of a player, but after 



AUCTION BRIDGE . 8i 

SO doing takes no part whatever in the 
play except that he has the right : 

A. — To ask the declarant 
whether he has any of a 
suit which he may have re- 
nounced ; 

B. — To call the declarant's at- 
tention to the fact that too 
many or too few cards have 
been played to a trick; 

C. — To correct the claim of 
either adversary to a penalty 
to which he is not entitled ; 

D. — To call attention to the 
fact that a trick has been 
erroneously taken by either 
side ; 

E. — To participate in the dis- 
cussion of any disputed ques- 
tion of fact after it has arisen 
between the declarant and 
either adversary; 

F. — ^To correct an erroneous 
score. 



82 . AUCTION BRIDGE 

63. — Should the declarant's partner 
call attention to any other Incident 
of the play In consequence of which 
any penalty might have been exacted, 
the declarant Is precluded from exact- 
ing such penalty. 

64. — If the declarant's partner, by 
touching a card or otherwise, suggest 
the play of a card from dummy, either 
adversary may, without consultation, 
call upon the declarant to play or not 
to play the card suggested. 

6^. — 'Dummy Is not liable to the 
penalty for a revoke; if he revoke 
and the error be not discovered until 
the trick Is turned and quitted, the 
trick must stand. 

66. — A card from the declarant's 
own hand is not played until actually 
quitted; but should he name or touch 
a card in the dummy, such card Is 
considered as played unless he, in 



AUCTION BRIDGE 83 

touching the card, say, *' I arrange," 
or words to that effect. If he simul- 
taneously touch two or more such' 
cards, he may elect which one to play. 

CARDS EXPOSED BEFORE PLAY 

67. — If, after the cards have been 
dealt, and before the trump declara- 
tion has been finally determined, any 
player expose a card from his hand, 
either adversary may demand a new 
deal. If the deal be allowed to stand, 
the exposed card may be picked up, 
and cannot be called. 

68. — If, after the final declaration 
has been accepted and before a card 
is led, the partner of the player who 
has to lead to the first trick expose a 
card from his hand, the declarant may, 
instead of calling the card, require the 
leader not to open that suit. 



84 AUCTION BRIDGE 



CARDS EXPOSED DURING PLAY 

69. — All cards exposed after the 
original lead are liable to be called, 
and such cards must be left face up- 
ward on the table. 

70. — The following are exposed 
cards : 

First. — Two or more cards 
played at once. 

Second.^Any card dropped with 
its face upward on the table, 
even though snatched up so 
quickly that it cannot be 
named. 

Third. — Any card so held by a 
player that his partner sees 
any portion of its face. 

Fourth. — ^Any card mentioned by 
either adversary as being held 
by him or his partner. 

71. — ^A card dropped on the floor 
or elsewhere below the table, or so 



AUCTION BRIDGE 85 

held that an adversary, but not the 
partner, sees it. Is not an exposed card. 

72. — If two or more cards be 
played at once by either of the declar- 
ant's adversaries, the declarant shall 
have the right to call any one of such 
cards to the current trick, and the 
other card or cards exposed. 

73. — If, without waiting for his 
partner to play, either of the declar- 
ant's adversaries play on the table the 
best card or lead one which is a win- 
ning card, as against the declarant 
and dummy, and continue (without 
waiting for his partner to play) to 
lead several such cards, the declar- 
ant may demand that the partner 
of the player In fault win, if he 
can, the first or any other of these 
tricks, and the other cards thus Im- 
properly played are exposed cards. 

74. — If either or both of the 



86 AUCTION BRIDGE 

declarant's adversaries throw his or 
their cards on the table face upward, 
such cards are exposed and are liable 
to be called; but if either adversary 
retain his hand he cannot be forced to 
abandon it. Cards exposed by the 
declarant are not liable to be called. 
If the declarant say, " I have the 
rest," or any other words indicating 
that the remaining tricks or any num- 
ber thereof are his, he may be re- 
quired to place his cards face upward 
on the table. His adversaries are not 
liable to have any of their cards called 
should they thereupon expose them. 

75. — If a player who has rendered 
himself liable to have the highest or 
lowest of a suit called (Laws 82, 88, 
and 95) fail to play as directed, or if, 
when called on to lead one suit he lead 
another, having in his hand one or 
more cards of the suit demanded 



AUCTION BRIDGE 87 

(Laws 76 and 96), or if called upon 
to win or lose a trick, he fail to do so 
when he can (Laws 73, 82, and 95), 
he is liable to the penalty for revoke, 
unless such play be corrected before 
the trick is turned and quitted. 

LEADS OUT OF TURN 

76. — If either of the declarant's ad- 
versaries lead out of turn, the declar- 
ant may either treat the card so led 
as an exposed card, or may call a suit 
as soon as it is the turn of either ad- 
versary to lead. 

77. — If the declarant lead out of 
turn, either from his own hand or 
from dummy, he incurs no penalty; 
but he may not rectify the error after 
the second hand has played. 

78. — If any player lead out of turn 
and the other three follow, the trick 



88 AUCTION BRIDGE 

IS complete and the error cannot be 
rectified; but if only the second, or 
second and third play to the false 
lead, their cards may be taken back; 
there is no penalty against any ex- 
cept the original offender, who, if he 
be one of the declarant's adversaries, 
may be penalised as provided in Law 

76. 

79. — ^A player cannot be compelled 
to play a card which would oblige 
him to revoke. 

80. — The call of an exposed card 
may be repeated until such card has 
been played. 

81. — If a player called on to lead 
a suit have none of it, the penalty is 
paid. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 89 



CARDS PLAYED IN ERROR 

82. — Should the fourth hand, not 
being dummy or declarant, play be- 
fore the second, the latter may be 
called upon to play his highest or 
lowest card of the suit played or to 
win or lose the trick. 

83. — If any one, not being dummy, 
omit playing to a trick and such error 
be not corrected until he has played to 
the next, the adversaries or either of 
them may claim a new deal; should 
they decide that the deal is to stand, 
the surplus card at the end of the hand 
is considered to have been played to 
the imperfect trick, but does not con- 
stitute a revoke therein. 

84. — If any one, except dummy, 
play two or more cards to the same 
trick and the mistake be not corrected. 



90 AUCTION BRIDGE 

he Is answerable for any consequent re- 
vokes he may have made. If during 
the play the error be detected, the 
tricks may be counted face downward, 
to see if any contain more than four 
cards; should this be the case, the 
trick which contains a surplus card or 
cards may be examined and the card 
or cards restored to the original 
holder, who (not being dummy) shall 
be liable for any revoke he may mean- 
while have made. 

THE REVOKE 

85. — ^A revoke occurs when a 
player, other than dummy, holding 
one or more cards of the suit led, 
plays a card of a different suit. It be- 
comes an established revoke If the 
trick in which it occurs be turned and 
quitted (i.e., the hand removed from 



AUCTION BRIDGE 91 

the trick after It has been turned face 
downward on the table) ; or if either 
the revoking player or his partner, 
whether in turn or otherwise, lead or 
play to the following trick. 

86. — The penalty for each estab- 
lished revoke shall be : 

A. — ^When the declarant re- 
vokes, his adversaries add 150 
points to their score in the 
Honor column In addition to 
any penalty which he may 
have incurred for not making 
good his declaration. 

B. — If either of the adversaries 
revoke, the declarant may 
either add 150 points to his 
score in the Honor column or 
may take three tricks from 
his opponents and add them 
to his own. Such tricks may 
assist the declarant to make 
good his contract, but shall 
not entitle him to score any 



92 AUCTION BRIDGE 

bonus In the Honor column, 
in the case of the declaration 
having been doubled or re- 
doubled. 
C. — ^W^'hen more than one re- 
voke Is made during the play 
of the hand, the penalty for 
each revoke after the first 
shall be lOO points In the 
Honor column. 

A revoking side cannot score, except 
Honors and Chicane. 

87. — ^A player may ask his partner 
if he have a card of a suit which he 
has renounced; should the question be 
asked before the trick is turned and 
quitted, subsequent turning and quit- 
ting does not establish a revoke; and 
the error may be corrected unless the 
question be answered In the negative, 
or unless the revoking player or his 
partner has led or played to the fol- 
lowing trick. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 93 

88. — If a player correct his mistake 
in time to save a revoke, any player 
who has followed him may withdraw 
his card and substitute another and the 
cards so withdrawn are not liable to 
be called. If the player in fault be 
one of the declarant's adversaries, the 
card played in error is exposed, and 
the declarant may call it whenever he 
pleases or he may require the offend- 
er to play his highest or lowest card 
of the suit to the trick. 

89. — If the player in fault be the 
declarant, the eldest hand may require 
him to play the highest or lowest card 
of the suit in which he has renounced, 
provided both of the adversaries have 
played to the current trick; but this 
penalty cannot be exacted from the 
declarant when he is fourth in hand, 
nor can it ever be enforced from 
dummy. 



94 AUCTION BRIDGE 

90. — At the end of a hand the 
claimants of a revoke may search all 
the tricks. If the cards have been 
mixed, the claim may be urged and if 
possible proven ; but no proof is neces- 
sary and the claim is established if, 
after it has been made, the accused 
player or his partner mix the cards be- 
fore they have been sufficiently ex- 
amined by the adversaries. 

9 1 . — A revoke must be claimed be- 
fore the cards have been cut for the 
following deal. 

92. — Should both sides revoke, the 
only score permitted shall be for Hon- 
ors or Chicane. If one side revoke 
more than once, the penalty of 100 
points for each extra revoke shall then 
be scored by the other side. 



AUCTION BRIDGE 95 



GENERAL RULES 

93. — There must not be any con- 
sultation between partners as to the 
enforcement of penalties. If they do 
so consult, the penalty is paido 

94. — Once a trick is complete, 
turned, and quitted, it must not be 
looked at (except under Law 84) un- 
til the end of the hand. 

95. — Any player during the play of 
a trick or after the four cards are 
played, and before they are touched 
for the purpose of gathering them to- 
gether, may demand that the cards be 
placed before their respective players. 

96. — If either of the declarant's ad- 
versaries, prior to his partner's play- 
ing, call attention to the trick, either 
by saying it is his, or by naming his 
card or drawing it toward him with- 



96 AUCTION BRIDGE 

out being requested so to do, the de- 
clarant may require such partner to 
play his highest or lowest card of the 
suit led, or to win or lose the trick. 

97. — ^Either of the declarant's ad- 
versaries may call his partner's atten- 
tion to the fact that he is about to 
play or lead out of turn ; but if, during 
the play of a hand, he make any un- 
authorized reference to any incident 
of the play, or to any bid previously 
made, the declarant may call a suit 
from the adversary whose turn it is 
next to lead. 

98. — In all cases where a penalty 
has been incurred, the offender is 
bound to give reasonable time for the 
decision of his adversaries; but if a 
wrong penalty be demanded none can 
be enforced. 

99. — ^Where the declarant or his 
partner has incurred a penalty, one of 



AUCTION BRIDGE 97 

his adversaries may say, " Partner, 
will you exact the penalty or shall I ? '* 
but whether this is said or not, if 
either adversary name the penalty, his 
decision is final. 



NEW CARDS 

100. — Unless a pack be imperfect, 
no player shall have the right to call 
for one new pack. If fresh cards be 
demanded, two packs must be fur- 
nished. If they be produced during a 
rubber, the adversaries shall have the 
choice of the new cards. If it be the 
beginning of a new rubber, the dealer, 
whether he or one of his adversaries 
be the party calling for the new cards, 
shall have the choice. New cards 
must be called for before the pack is 
cut for a new deal. 

loi. — ^A card or cards torn or 



98 AUCTION BRIDGE 

marked must be replaced by agree- 
ment or new cards furnished. 



BY-STANDERS 

102. — ^Whlle a by-stander, by 
agreement among the players, may 
decide any question, he must on no ac- 
count say anything unless appealed to ; 
and if he make any remark which calls 
attention to an oversight affecting the 
score, or to the exaction of a penalty, 
he is liable to be called upon by the 
players to pay the stakes (not extras) 
lost. 



THREE-HANDED AUCTION 
BRIDGE 

The laws are the same as those of 
Auction Bridge, except as varied by 
the following: 

I. — The game is played by three 



AUCTION BRIDGE 99 

players, each against each; the table 
being complete with four players. 

2. — The player who cuts the lowest 
card has the first deal ; the player cut- 
ting the next lowest card sits on the 
dealer's left, and the remaining player 
on the dealer's right. The cards are 
dealt as at Auction Bridge, but the 
cards dealt to dummy are not taken 
up until after the final declaration has 
been made. If, whilst dealing, a card 
be exposed, there must be a new deal. 

3. — The dealer makes his declara- 
tion, and the bidding continues as at 
Auction Bridge, except that the play- 
ers sitting opposite each other are not 
partners, and their declarations are 
on their own account. There shall be 
no new deal on account of a player 
making a declaration out of turn, but 
the players so offending shall forfeit 
50 points to each of the players; the 



loo AUCTION BRIDGE 

right to declare remaining with the 
player whose turn it was to make a 
declaration. The player making the 
final declaration (i.e., the declaration 
that has been passed by the other two 
players) plays his own hand and that 
of dummy against the other two play- 
ers, who then, and for that particular 
hand, become partners. If one of the 
players happen to be sitting opposite 
the declarant, he must move Into the 
vacant seat at the table, thereby facing 
the player who becomes his partner 
for that hand. 

4. — If, after the deal has been 
completed and before a card is led, 
any player expose a card from his 
hand, he shall forfeit 100 points to 
each of the other players; and the 
declarant — If he be not the offender — 
may call upon the eldest hand not 
to lead from the suit of the exposed 



AUCTION BRIDGE loi 

card. If he does not exercise this 
right, the card must be left on the 
table as an exposed card. If the card 
be exposed by the declarant after the 
final declaration has been made, there 
is no penalty. 

5. — If a player double out of turn, 
he forfeits 100 points to each of his 
adversaries, and the player whose 
declaration has been so doubled shall 
have the right to say whether or not 
the double shall stand. The bidding 
is then resumed; but if the double has 
been disallowed, the said declaration 
cannot be doubled by the player on the 
right of the offender. 

6. — The rubber consists of four 
games ; but when two games have been 
won by the same player, the other or 
others are not played. 

7. — ^When the declarant makes 
good his declaration, he scores as at 



102 AUCTION BRIDGE 

Auction Bridge; when he fails to do 
so, he loses to each of his adversaries. 

8. — The scoring is the same as at 
Auction Bridge, except with regard to 
Honors, which are scored by each 
player severally, i.e., each player who 
has one Honor in Spades scores two; 
each player having two Honors in 
Spades scores four; a player holding 
three Honors in Spades scores six; a 
player holding four Honors in Spades 
scores i6; and a player holding five 
Honors in Spades scores 20, and simi- 
larly for the other suits. In a " no- 
trump " declaration. Aces count 10 
each ; and if all four be held by one 
player, 100. 

9. — One hundred points are scored 
by each player for every game he 
wins, and the winner of the rubber 
adds a further 250 points to his score. 

10. — At the conclusion of the rub- 



AUCTION BRIDGE 103 

ber, the total scores obtained by each 
player are added up separately, and 
each player wins from, or loses to, 
each other player the difference be- 
tween his score and that of the said 
other player. 



ETIQUETTE OF AUCTION 
BRIDGE 

I. — Declarations should be made in 
a simple manner, thus: " One Heart," 
one " No-trump," or " I pass," or '' I 
double," and must be made orally and 
not by gesture. 

2. — Aside from his legitimate 
declaration, a player should not give 
any indication by word or gesture as 
to the nature of his hand, or as to his 
pleasure or displeasure at a play, a 
bid or a double. 

3. — If a player demand that the 



104 AUCTION BRIDGE 

cards be placed, he should do so for 
his own Information and not to call 
his partner's attention to any card or 
play. 

4. — No player, other than the de- 
clarant, should lead until the preceding 
trick is turned and quitted: nor, after 
having led a winning card, should he 
draw another from his hand before 
his partner has played to the current 
trick. 

5. — ^A player should not play a card 
with such emphasis as to draw atten- 
tion to it. Nor should he detach one 
card from his hand and subsequently 
play another. 

6. — A player should not purposely 
Incur a penalty because he is willing 
to pay it, nor should he make a second 
revoke to conceal a first. 

7. — Players should avoid discus- 
sion and refrain from talking during 



AUCTION BRIDGE 105 

the play, as it may be annoying to 
players at the table or to those at other 
tables in the room. 

8. — The dummy should not leave 
his seat for the purpose of watching his 
partner's play; neither should he call 
attention to the score nor to any card 
or cards that he or the other players 
hold, nor to any bid previously made. 

9. — If the declarant say, " I have 
the rest," or any words indicating the 
remaining tricks are his, and one or 
both of the other players should ex- 
pose his or their cards, or request the 
declarant to play out the hand, he 
should not allow any information so 
obtained to influence his play nor take 
any finesse not announced by him at 
the time of making such claim, unless 
it had been previously proven to be a 
winner. 

10. — If a player concede in error 



io6 AUCTION BRIDGE 

one or more tricks, the concession 
should stand. 

1 1 . — ^A player having been cut out 
of one table should not seek admission 
Into another unless willing to cut for 
the privilege of entry. 

12. — "No player should look at any 
of his cards until the deal be com- 
pleted. 



BRIDGE 



PLAYING TO THE SCORE 

The declaration depends mainly upon 
the state of the score, and each player 
should inquire how he stands before 
naming a suit. 

When game or rubber Is In sight, 
take no chances on a doubtful play, 
but secure the required number of 
points first. 

When game Is In doubt and you 
already have the odd trick, then a 
finesse should be taken with the hope 
of scoring game; If the finesse fails, 
you at least have your odd, and the 
loss of one possible trick on the finesse 
is not serious. 

With a game to the good. It is fool- 
ish to risk a poor make, and run the 
109 



110 BRIDGE 

chance of losing the advantage you 
have already gained. 

When you are a game behind, a 
risky declaration is justifiable, espe- 
cially if the adversaries are a game 
in, and as much as i8 or 20 toward 
the rubber. 

The Honors should also be taken 
into consideration. A make which in- 
cludes three top Honors and two small 
trumps, should be given preference 
over one which includes but two Hon- 
ors with four small trumps. 

A good Honor score is a very ma- 
terial help toward lessening your 
losses, when the adversary has won the 
rubber. So much information is given 
by the bidding at Auction, that many 
times a hand may almost be said to 
play itself. At Bridge it is quite the 
reverse. The leads and discards are 
your only source of information, and 



BRIDGE III 

it IS essential to a scientific play of the 
hand that you bear these in mind. 
Generally speaking, a strong make is 
important at Bridge, as the declara- 
tion is final. 

When dealer you should pass, un- 
less you can see five tricks in your 
hand. The pass indicates that you 
have no great strength in the red suits, 
and while you may hold some protec- 
tion in them, you also may be de- 
cidedly short. 

When holding a ** Yarborough," 
an original Spade declaration is com- 
pulsory, unless the adversaries are a 
game ahead, and you are willing to 
take a chance on what your partner's 
hand may hold. Ordinarily the deal- 
er's pass indicates that you can count 
on at least one positive trick in his 
hand. 

Suit length has its full value at 



112 BRIDGE 

Bridge; small trumps and under 
cards may often be finessed, on the 
chance of success, which could not be 
risked at Auction, on account of its 
method of scoring. 

BRIDGE 

A game consists of 30 points ob- 
tained by tricks alone. 

The partners first winning two 
games win Rubber. 



HONORS 

The ^ve top cards running from 
Ten to Ace in a trump suit. 

The person holding the majority — 
three or more — add them to their 
Honor score. 

• In " no-trump " the Aces are 
counted as Honors. 



BRIDGE 113 

The Honor score is added to the 
trick score at the end of the rubber. 

The rubber gives you an additional 
100. 

ORIGINAL MAKES 

"No -Trumps" Count 12 

Four Aces. 

Three Aces and some protection. 

Two Aces and protection in one 
other suit. 

One Ace and protection in three 
other suits. 

Good gambling make if you are be- 
hind: one long black suit and another 
Ace. 

HEARTS 
Count 8 

Six including one Honor. 
Five including two Honors and two 
outside tricks. 



114 BRIDGE 

Four including three top Honors 
and two or three outside tricks. 

Do not make it Hearts with four 
or five unless you see four sure tricks 
in your hand. 

DIAMONDS 
Count 6 

Six Including one Honor. 

Five including two Honors, and 
two or three outside tricks. 

As an original Diamond make pre- 
cludes two declarations of higher 
value — "No-trump," and "Hearts" 
— it is often advisable to pass, unless 
you feel you can go game. 

A passed make of Diamonds Is a 
different matter, and is often made on 
a hand that would not be strong 
enough for an original declaration. 

Do not make it Diamonds on the 



BRIDGE 115 

second game if you have lost the first, 
unless the suit is exceptionally strong. 

CLUBS AND SPADES 

Do not make It Clubs originally 
unless you have four or five Honors 
in Clubs In one hand, or can win out, 
or are a game to the good with eight 
or more points on the second game. 

Do not make it original Spades, un- 
less you have a '' Bust " or '' Yar- 
borough " — meaning you have not a 
trick In your hand — or the score is 24 
and you feel you can win the game. 

Spades are not played unless the 
dealer is 24, or they are doubled. 

PASSED MAKES 

Passed makes must be stronger, not 
weaker. 

An original make has the advantage 



ii6 BRIDGE 

of showing the adversaries that the 
hand holds strength, while a pass is 
a confesson of weakness; therefore, 
the make from dummy's hand should 
contain pronounced strength in what- 
ever suit he elects, especially as his 
hand is exposed. 

The strength of an original decla- 
ration is problematical to the adver- 
sary, also the assistance which may be 
contained in dummy's hand, and for 
that reason, he may fear to double. 
But when it is a passed make, the 
acknowledged weakness of the dealer 
may tempt him to double when he has 
a good hand, especially if the score is 
against him. 

Taking these chances into consid- 
eration, the passed make should be 
strong, unless you are behind, and are 
willing to take a chance. 

More rubbers are lost by bad makes 



BRIDGE 117 

than by bad plays. When you are 
dummy, if it is a choice of " no- 
trump," or a red suit, your partner is 
more likely to give you general assist- 
ance at '' no-trump " than he would 
at a suit declaration. 



ORIGINAL LEADS WITH TRUMP 
DECLARED 

A. K. Qu. Lead K., then Qu. 

A. K. and others Lead K., then A. 

K. Qu. Kn. Lead K. 

K. Qu. Lead K. 

Qu. Kn. 10 Lead Qu. 

K. Kn. 10 Lead Kn. 

If you have no combination of high 
cards lead fourth best. 

It is not necessary to return your 
partner's lead, until after you have 
made good the high cards in your own 



ii8 BRIDGE 

hand. If your partner's suit has only 
been led once, then you may return it, 
otherwise lead up to the weakness in 
dummy, which may enable him to win 
a trick with a low card. It some- 
times happens that a short suit open- 
ing is the best your hand offers. With 
a generally poor hand, or a hand 
which contains nothing better than a 
tenace opening, such as an Ace-Queen 
suit, it is often advisable to lead the 
short suit, when you hold two or three 
small trumps. 

With a hand containing an Ace- 
King suit, lead the King, and take a 
look at dummy first; the advisability 
of then leading from your short suit 
will be more clear to you. 



I 



BRIDGE 119 



SINGLETON LEADS 

Qu.-Kn.-io-9 may be led if only 
one trump is held and the hand con- 
tains no ace opening. 

If your long suit is headed by an 
Ace (without King) , lead Ace, other- 
wise it might be trumped. 

Ace and no other, lead Ace if the 
hand contains no other trick, possibly 
saving a Slam. 

A. K. only, lead Ace. 

ORIGINAL LEADS AT "NO- 
TRUMP " 

The lead of an Ace, King, Queen, 
indicates three Honors alone, or six 
cards or more. 



BRIDGE 



LEAD ACE 



From Ace, Queen, Knave, and 
others, with a re-entry card, other- 
wise lead the Queen; if your partner 
has the King, he will unblock by over- 
taking your Queen, and return your 
suit at once, unless he thinks it more 
advantageous to establish his own 
first. 

From Ace, and at least six others, 
with a re-entry card, lead Ace. 



LEAD KING 

From Ace, King, Queen, and 
others. 

From Ace, King, Knave, and 
others. 

From Ace, King, and five others or 
more. 



BRIDGE 121 

From King, Queen, Knave, and 
others. 

From King, Queen, and five others, 
or more. 

From King, Queen, lo, and others. 

LEAD QUEEN 

From Queen, Knave, lo, and 
others. 

From Ace, Queen, Knave, and 
others, with no re-entry cards. 

Should your first play be from the 
Ace, and the King not fall, the adver- 
sary must hold that card, and with- 
out a re-entry your suit would be 
blocked. 

LEAD KNAVE 

From Knave, lo, 9. 
From King, Knave, 10, and others 
lead Knave. 



122 BRIDGE 

From other combinations lead 
fourth best from your longest suit; 
if the high cards are against you, 
some of them must fall, and with an 
Ace, or King, in your hand of another 
suit as re-entry, you should eventu- 
ally establish your suit. 

ECHO 

The play of first a high card and 
then a lower card, indicating you have 
no more, and can trump the third 
round of the suit. Seldom echo above 
an Honor; so high a card is too valu- 
able to part with. 

RULE OF ELEVEN 

Deducting the number of spots on 
the card led from eleven, shows how 
many cards higher than the card led 
are against your partner's suit. 



BRIDGE 123 



. PLAYING DUMMY AT " NO- 
TRUMP '' 

Keep command of adversary's suit 
at " No-trump." 

Play for the suit you have the most 
of in the two hands; if the cards are 
equally divided, play up to one with 
majority of Honors. 

To avoid blocking, get rid of the 
high cards from the short hand. 



PLAYING DUMMY WITH 
TRUMPS 

Unless the weak hand in trumps can 
ruff, usually lead trumps holding 
seven or more in the two hands. 

Do not weaken your strong trump 
hand by forcing it to ruff, unless you 
can establish a cross ruff. Forcing 



124 BRIDGE 

your strong hand Is your adversary's 
best play. 

Lead up to your high cards and not 
away from them when the other hand 
IS weak. 

Play to deceive your adversaries. 

Know how many tricks you need to 
win the game, and play to get them. 

Try to get rid of your losing cards 
by discarding them. 

SECOND HAND PLAY 

Beat the dummy. 

Cover an Honor with an Honor, 
unless you have three of the suit. 
With any two Honors touching, play 
one of the Honors (the lower). 

When the dummy can take any card 
you play, play small and do not hesi- 
tate. 



BRIDGE 125 

THIRD HAND PLAY 

Holding two or more cards In se- 
quence, play the lowest. 

Holding Ace, Knave, 10, with King 
or Queen In the dummy, and your 
partner leading the suit, finesse the 
Knave. 

If on partner's lead of King, then 
Ace, you can take third round of that 
suit — either trumping or holding best 
card; play high, then low. 

DOUBLING 

You can double Spades if you 
have four tricks, with a possible fifth, 
even though weak in trumps. 

To double "Hearts," "Dia- 
monds," or " Clubs," you should have 
five tricks, with a possible sixth, and 
strength In trumps. 



126 BRIDGE 

To double " No-trump," you should 
have six tricks, with a possible 
seventh. A long, strong suit and an- 
other Ace. 

Do not re-double unless you hold 
the odd trick In your own hand. 

If you are strong In " Hearts," 
double a " no-trump " when it Is your 
partner's lead. See " Heart Conven- 
tion." 

Doubling on rubber game Is dan- 
gerous. 

The Increased value of tricks may 
enable adversary to win the rubber 
on that hand, when otherwise you 
might go out on the next deal. 

Best position, when playing after 
the maker. 

Danger of doubling shows where 
strength lies. 



BRIDGE Z27 



WHAT TO LEAD WHEN YOUR 
PARTNER DOUBLES 

Do not lead trumps when your 
partner doubles " Spades/' unless you 
hold four or more trumps, or a strong 
suit hand. 

Do not lead trumps when your 
partner doubles " Hearts," " Dia- 
monds," or *' Clubs," if you have a 
short suit or can take a look at the 
dummy first. 

Seldom lead trumps up to the 
• maker. When you do, lead your high- 
est; such a play locates the dealer's 
trumps for your partner. If you have 
a short suit, or singleton, and have one 
or two small trumps, lead it. Your 
hand cannot be expected to hold very 
strong cards, when two players have 
already declared their strength. 



128 BRIDGE 



HEART CONVENTION 

When your partner has doubled a 
" no-trump " make, you should lead 
your highest Heart. It does not fol- 
low that he has any great strength in 
that suit, but he must hold the Ace as 
an entry card to the suit he wishes to 
establish. 



UNBLOCKING 
At "No-Trumps'* 

Holding K. x. partner's lead of A., 
play K. 

Holding A. X. partner's lead of 
K., play A. 

Holding K. X. partner's lead of 
Q., play K. 

Holding Q. x. X. partner's lead 
of K. A., play Queen on Ace. 



BRIDGE 129 

Avoid blocking your partner's suit 
when he leads a high card; it denotes 
great strength, and unless you hold as 
many as four or five, you should al- 
ways throw in your top cards. 

If your partner leads low, and yoit 
can take the trick, do so, and return 
your highest card if you hold but one 
Honor, or lead the highest of two 
Honors in sequence. 

It is not likely you can outlast youif 
partner in his chosen suit, but if you 
should hold as many as four or five, 
play next to your lowest card, and 
then play up to his high card lead, 
saving your lowest card until the last 
round. '' 

Only unblock at ** no-trump." 



130 BRIDGE 

GENERAL RULES 

Return your partner*s lead at " no- 
trumps," unless blocked by dummy, 
or own suit seems more advantageous. 

Return your highest card, unless 
you hold five or more. 

When dummy is on your right, lead 
up to the weakness ; when on left, lead 
through strength. 

Force the strong hand to trump. 

With trumps declared, make your 
Aces and Kings. 

In making the trump, when it is 
a question of '' Hearts " and " no- 
trumps," make it ** Hearts," unless the 
game is decidedly against you. 

Watch your partner's first discard. 

Put "Hearts" at right in "no- 
trump," when you are dummy; also 
put the declared trump at right. 



BRIDGE Z31 

DISCARDS 

As the original leader, you indicate 
your suit by your first play, there- 
fore any subsequent discard merely 
signifies the suit you can best spare. 

The discard (as a signal) only ap- 
plies to your partner, providing he has 
not had an opportunity to get the lead 
before he is obliged to discard. 

With trumps declared, discard 
from your strongest suit ; this does not 
necessarily mean length, it merely in- 
dicates the suit in which you hold the 
highest cards. 

At " no-trump," the popular dis- 
card is from weakness; the safest dis- 
card is from strength. 

If three suits have been led, it is 
unnecessary to discard from strength. 
A discard from the adversary's estab- 



132 BRIDGE 

llshed suit, or from the suit led origi- 
nally by your partner, should not con- 
fuse him, and he should infer that 
your strength lies in the remaining 
suit. 

Watch the dealer's discard, and it is 
equally necessary that the dealer 
watches yours. 

SHORT SUITS 

A short suit is a suit of less than 
four cards. 

Holding no face card, lead highest 
of a short suit. 

To detect a short suit, apply the 
** rule of eleven." 

To lead a " Singleton " or from a 
two-card suit is usually good play 
when you hold three small trumps or 
six. 



BRIDGE X33 

REVOKE 

A revoke occurs when a player 

holding cards of the suit led fails to 
follow suit; the penalty is three tricks 
taken from the side revoking, and 
added to the adversaries^ trick score. 

The adversary can go out if game 
is made, but the person revoking can- 
not score over 28. 

If a player corrects his mistake be- 
fore the trick is turned, a revoke is 
not established. 

SUGGESTIONS 

Never lead a black short suit up to 
the dealer if the make has been passed. 

Never lead a short suit holding 
four trumps unless your trumps are 
very weak. 



J34 BRIDGE 

Never lead low from an Ace; the 
dealer may win the first trick and dis- 
card before your Ace is played. 

Never block your partner's suit at 
*' no-trump." 



GLOSSARY 

Above the Line — ^The Honor 
Column. 

Below the Line — The Trick 
Column. 

Bonus — Reward in Honor Column. 

Book — The first six tricks won by 
the same partners. 

Bring-in — To make the cards of a 
suit. 

By-Cards — The number of tricks 
won over the book. 

Cards of Re-entry — A winning card 
which will bring into play another 
suit. 

Chicane — A hand without a trump. 

Command — The best card of a suit. 

Cross Ruff — When two suits are 
being trumped by partners. 
135 



136 GLOSSARY 

Declarant — The highest bidder. 

Discarding — Not following suit. 

Doubling— lncrQd,smg the value of 
the trick points. 

Ducking — Refusing to play the 
commanding cards of a suit. 

Dummy — The declarant's partner 
— the one whose cards are exposed on 
the table. 

Echo^Disc2ird of a high card, fol- 
lowed by a lower one. 

Eldest Hand — The player on the 
dealer's left. 

Exposed Card — Any card which is 
shown, but is not played. 

False Cards — Playing the Ace, 
holding the King, or any attempt to 
conceal the cards held. 

Finesse — Trying to win a trick with 
a card which is not the best in the 
hand. 

Flag Flying — Over-bidding the ad- 



GLOSSARY 137 

versaries' contract when they are likely 
to go game, at the risk of a loss to 
yourself in the Honor column. 

Forced Bid — Making a higher bid 
than the hand warrants. 

Fourth Best — Counting from the 
highest card in the suit. 

Free or Voluntary Bid — Bidding 
the true value of the hand. 

Grand Slam — ^Winning all tricks. 

Guarded Suit — ^A high card pro- 
tected by smaller cards in the same 
suit. 

Honors — The ^vt top cards rang- 
ing from 10 to Ace in a trump suit. 
At no-trump the four Aces. 

Little Slam — ^Winning all tricks but 
one. 

Odd Trick — ^The first trick over 
the book. 

Over-Bid— A higher bid in the 
same suit. 



138 GLOSSARY 

Over-Call — ^A higher bid in an- 
other suit. 

Over Trick — The first trick over 
the book. 

Revoke — Not following suit when 
able to do so. 

Rubber — ^Two out of three games. 

Ruffing — ^Trumping a trick. 

Sequence — Cards immediately fol- 
lowing each other in order of their 
value. 

Singleton — ^A suit of which you 
hold but one card. 

Tenace — ^The best and third best of 
a suit — ^Ace and Queen are Tenace 
over the King and Knave. 

Third Hand — ^At Bridge the deal- 
er's partner; at Auction, the declar- 
ant's partner. 

Unblocking — Getting rid of a card 
that may block your partner's suit. 



GLOSSARY i3g 

Without — Meaning a no-trump 
declaration. 

Yarborough — A hand without a 
face card. 

Younger Hand — ^The partner of 
the original dealer. 



JAN 24 1912 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



JAN 24 1912 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



020 237 435 9 



